OWSD

07/09/2026

A quiet look back at a big year. 🌍🔬

In 2025, OWSD began moving from supporting individual women scientists to reshaping the systems around them:

→ Launched GenSIS with UNESCO — turning evidence from 4,000+ women in STEM into real institutional reform
→ Brought WISDOM to Uganda, opening master's study to refugee students from across the region
→ Elected a new Executive Board and our first Latin American President at the 7th General Assembly in Bogotá
→ Grew to 59 National Chapters and more than 11,900 members worldwide

Our 2025 Annual Report is now online. Same community, a bolder direction. Read the full story at the link. 🔗https://owsd.net/annual-reports

21/07/2026

At the 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, OWSD was honoured to briefly meet H.E. Dr Karin Herrera Vice-President of Guatemala and a scientist herself.

A committed advocate for women in science, Dr Herrera welcomed the work of OWSD and expressed strong support for GenSIS (Gender-Inclusive Science Institutions and Systems) — the UNESCO–OWSD initiative, funded by International Development Research Centre (IDRC / CRDI), being implemented in Guatemala by the OWSD Guatemala National Chapter to build more gender-inclusive science institutions and systems.

We thank Vice-President Herrera for her leadership in advancing women's role in science and look forward to continuing this collaboration.

29/05/2026

As Mother’s Month comes to a close, OWSD invites you to read this powerful reflection by OWSD President Luisa F. Echeverría-King, PhD. on the lives of mother scientists across the Global South.

Their contributions go far beyond what we measure, and deserve to be fully seen.

Link to Blog: https://owsd.net/news/invisible-experiments-love-honoring-mothers-science-across-global-south

20/04/2026

Magnetic cooling for safer food chains in Kenya.
Winfred Mueni Mulwa – computational physicist.
🔗 More in our Sustainable Cities & Communities challenge https://owsd.net/challenge/sustainable-cities-and-communities

15/04/2026

Women scientists in the Global South are uncovering new possibilities in local food systems.
Dr Natalia Montellano Durán – biotechnologist, Bolivia.
🔗 More from OWSD in Latin America: https://owsd.net/network/latin-america-caribbean.

10/04/2026

OWSD is at the Eurasia Higher Education Summit ( ) this week to give the closing plenary session on “Advancing Gender Equality in Science”.

OWSD Coordinator Tonya Blowers presented “From Individuals to Institutions and from Local to Global: How the OWSD is Transforming Higher Education,” highlighting systemic change through global networks.

OWSD Executive Board regional members Tista Prasai Joshi and Nadia Ayub both shared “A Personal Journey of Leadership and Impact in Higher Education,” offering personal and impactful perspectives on advancing gender equality in academia.

The session underscored the importance of inclusive leadership and collective action in shaping a more equitable future for science and higher education.

01/04/2026

OWSD Visions | Renewable Energy
Women scientists in the Global South are developing practical solutions for cleaner and more reliable energy systems.
This episode features Dr Maryse Nkoua.
More in our Renewable Energy section:
https://owsd.net/challenge/renewable-energy

25/03/2026

OWSD Visions | Agriculture & Food Security
Women scientists in the Global South are already driving solutions to food system challenges.
Dr Salifou Chakirath Folakè Arikè works on innovations in fish processing and preservation.
More in our Agriculture & Food Security section:
https://owsd.net/challenge/agriculture-and-food-security

23/03/2026

Citrus waste into health‑focused ingredients.
Dr Prativa Pandey – chemist and biotechnologist from Nepal.
🔗 More in our Medicine & Health challenge https://owsd.net/challenge/medicine-and-health

13/03/2026

🌍 GenSIS deadline extended!

OWSD National Chapters now have until 31 March 2026 to submit their Expression of Interest to join the Gender‑inclusive Science Institutions and Systems (GenSIS) initiative.

📣 Need guidance before applying?

Write to [email protected] — our team is happy to support you.

Learn more & apply today!

Breaking News | January 14, 2026 Expression of Interest now open for GenSIS country projects OWSD Secretariat Global Share on: Copied to clipboard Members of the Pilot Project in Data Collection and Analysis from the OWSD Rwanda National Chapter by Giulia Signori Following the announcement of the la...